Lilah, Anastasia and I will fly up there once Nate's home. Lilah really misses her big sister! The first thing she asked this morning was "Where is Eliana?"
Sunday, 16 November 2014
Five day drive
Nate just finished day 2 of the five day drive back to our home in Africa. He's got five year old Eliana and one year old Ambrose with him. Tomorrow (Monday) is the big 15 hour day so please pray for them. May the Lord protect them and may the kids be amazing!
Lilah, Anastasia and I will fly up there once Nate's home. Lilah really misses her big sister! The first thing she asked this morning was "Where is Eliana?"
Lilah, Anastasia and I will fly up there once Nate's home. Lilah really misses her big sister! The first thing she asked this morning was "Where is Eliana?"
Thursday, 13 November 2014
Goodbyes
About two weeks before we had Anastasia we found out that my father has cancer. I can't tell you the things that went through my head that day, but I know "No, not now, not yet" was certainly one of them. We all know that the day will come when we lose our loved ones, but it never prepares you for the news that the day is closer than you ever wanted it to be.
My father. A kind and generous man, who stands by his convictions, no matter the cost. He loves the Lord, loves to sing, loves to play jokes on you, loves to get a rise out of you, loves to show magic tricks to his grandchildren.
His grandchildren. That's one of those things when you live in a far away land. My children's moments with their grandparents are few and far between. When the news of my father's illness fell, the sadness of them missing out on all the precious moments they could have made with their Grandpa was overwhelming. So we were overjoyed when the Lord gave us the opportunity to go back to Australia for a good long while to say our goodbye's to Grandpa.
The month leading up to our arrival in Australia, Grandpa was in and out of hospital and things were not looking good. But, in the Lord's kindness and in answer to lots of prayer, Grandpa was in amazingly good health for the duration of our visit. This meant that our children got to make lots of fun memories with Grandpa in their last moments with him. Do you remember that time we went on the flying fox with Grandpa there? Do you remember going to the beach with Grandpa? Do you remember when he taught you that magic trick with the golden ring? Do you remember singing Bumble Bee with Grandpa? And what our little ones won't remember in person, we have made up for with plenty of photos of them playing with Grandpa.
My father. A kind and generous man, who stands by his convictions, no matter the cost. He loves the Lord, loves to sing, loves to play jokes on you, loves to get a rise out of you, loves to show magic tricks to his grandchildren.
His grandchildren. That's one of those things when you live in a far away land. My children's moments with their grandparents are few and far between. When the news of my father's illness fell, the sadness of them missing out on all the precious moments they could have made with their Grandpa was overwhelming. So we were overjoyed when the Lord gave us the opportunity to go back to Australia for a good long while to say our goodbye's to Grandpa.
The month leading up to our arrival in Australia, Grandpa was in and out of hospital and things were not looking good. But, in the Lord's kindness and in answer to lots of prayer, Grandpa was in amazingly good health for the duration of our visit. This meant that our children got to make lots of fun memories with Grandpa in their last moments with him. Do you remember that time we went on the flying fox with Grandpa there? Do you remember going to the beach with Grandpa? Do you remember when he taught you that magic trick with the golden ring? Do you remember singing Bumble Bee with Grandpa? And what our little ones won't remember in person, we have made up for with plenty of photos of them playing with Grandpa.
It was a precious time in Australia, a painful goodbye, yet we left full of thanks for the memories we made, and full of hope for the memories we will make in the future, when we meet under the light of our glorious Lord in heaven, never to say goodbye again.
We love you, Grandpa.
Wednesday, 12 November 2014
Selfy Discoveries
Some things that strike us when we re-enter the western world are new trends and technological advances. For instance, while my sister was driving us home from the airport in Australia, her phone rang. In Australia, it's against the law to touch your phone while driving, so she simply pushed a button on her stereo to answer the call and I got a shock to hear my father's voice pumping from the car speakers. Pretty nifty, huh.
A new trend that we discovered (though perhaps it's not so new), was the 'selfy'. Everywhere you walk people are using their smart phones to take selfies. Going to Big W? Let's take a selfy. Going to the chocolate shop? Let's take a selfy. Finished an exam? Let's take a selfy. It's like a journal in pictures.
This particular selfy will always remind me of our trip to the shops where this mum of four forgot to bring nappies for her son :) Happy days.
Sunday, 2 November 2014
Sunday, 14 September 2014
Girly Blanket
I knitted this blanket before we had the baby. Since we didn't know whether she would be a boy or a girl (and honestly I would have guessed that we were having a boy) I tried to choose a neutral pattern. This blanket turned out to be quite sweet though. Too sweet for an Axel but just perfect for an Anastasia :)
I found the basic pattern on Pinterest for free with no one taking credit so here it is:
CO 144 stitches
Row 1: k1 yo k3 k2tog k2tog k3 yo k1. Repeat
Row 2: purl
Row 3: knit
Repeat these three rows until blanket reaches desired length.
For those interested, I used 8 balls of chunky yarn (9 or 10 would have been good too) and size 6 circular needles. It was described as a squishy blanket which was what attracted me and I concur. It is lovely and squishy!
It's a Girl!
Welcoming Anastasia Rose Schoen. Born 12 Sept 2014 @ 5:25pm. 4370 grams/9lbs 10oz. 53cm long. Big and beautiful! We thank the Lord for you our darling. You were worth the weight... I mean wait :)
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